N-(tetrazol-5-yl)- and N-(triazol-5-yl)arylcarboxamide salts and use thereof as herbicides

ABSTRACT

Salts of N-(tetrazol-5-yl)- and N-(triazol-5-yl)arylcarboxamides of the general formula (I) are described as herbicides. 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     In this formula (I), W, X, Z and R represent radicals such as hydrogen, organic radicals such as alkyl, and other radicals such as halogen. A and B each represent nitrogen or carbon. M +  represents a cation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a §371 National Stage Application of PCT/EP2013/058964, filed April 30, 2013, which claims priority to EP 12166621.8, filed May 3, 2012.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to the technical field of herbicides, especially that of herbicides for the selective control of broad-leaved weeds and weed grasses in crops of useful plants.

2. Description of Related Art

WO 2012/028579 A1 discloses N-(tetrazol-5-yl)- and N-(triazol-5-yl)benzamides as herbicides. The applications EP11176378 and EP11187669, of earlier priority and unpublished at the priority date of the present specification, disclose N-(tetrazol-5-yl)- and N-(triazol-5-yl)arylcarboxamides as herbicides. However, these active compounds are not always sufficiently active against harmful plants and/or some of them are not sufficiently compatible with some important crop plants such as cereal species, corn or rice.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide further herbicidally active compounds. This object is achieved by the salts according to the invention, described below, of N-(tetrazol-5-yl)- and N-(triazol-5-yl)arylcarboxamides.

Accordingly, the present invention provides salts of N-(tetrazol-5-yl)- and N-(triazol-5-yl)arylcarboxamides of the formula (I)

in which

A represents N or CY,

B represents N or CH,

X represents nitro, halogen, cyano, formyl, thiocyanato, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, halo-(C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, halo-(C₃-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, halo-(C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, COR¹, COOR¹, OCOOR¹, NR¹COOR¹, C(O)N(R¹)₂, NR¹C(O)N(R¹)₂, OC(O)N(R¹)₂, C(O)NR¹OR¹, OR¹, OCOR¹, OSO₂R², S(O)_(n)R², SO₂OR¹, SO₂N(R¹)₂, NR¹SO₂R², NR¹COR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-S(O)_(n)R², (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-OR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-OCOR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-OSO₂R², (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-CO₂R¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-SO₂OR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-CON(R¹)₂, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-SO₂N(R¹)₂, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR¹COR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR¹SO₂R², NR₁R₂, P(O)(OR⁵)₂, CH₂P(O)(OR⁵)₂, (C₁-C₆)-alkylheteroaryl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylheterocyclyl, where the two last-mentioned radicals are each substituted by s radicals from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, S(O)_(n)—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy and halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, and where heterocyclyl carries n oxo groups,

Y represents hydrogen, nitro, halogen, cyano, thiocyanato, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, halo-(C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, halo-(C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkenyl, halo-(C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, COR¹, COOR¹, OCOOR¹, NR¹COOR¹, C(O)N(R¹)₂, NR¹C(O)N(R¹)₂, OC(O)N(R¹)₂, CO(NOR¹)R¹, CHNOR¹, CH₂ONC(R¹)₂, NR¹SO₂R², NR¹COR¹, OR¹, OSO₂R², S(O)_(n)R², SO₂OR¹, SO₂N(R¹)₂ (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-S(O)_(n)R², (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-OR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-OCOR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-OSO2R², (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-CO₂R¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-CN, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-SO₂OR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-CON(R¹)₂, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-SO₂N(R¹)₂, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR¹COR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR¹SO₂R², N(R¹)₂, P(O)(OR⁵)₂, CH₂P(O)(OR⁵)₂, (C₁-C₆)-alkylphenyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylheteroaryl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylheterocyclyl, phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl, where the six last-mentioned radicals are each substituted by s radicals from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, S(O)_(n)—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl and cyanomethyl, and where heterocyclyl carries n oxo groups,

Z represents halogen, cyano, thiocyanato, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, halo-(C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, halo-(C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, halo-(C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, COR¹, COOR¹, OCOOR¹, NR¹COOR¹, C(O)N(R¹)₂, NR¹C(O)N(R¹)₂, OC(O)N(R¹)₂, C(O)NR¹OR¹, OSO₂R², S(O)_(n)R², SO₂OR¹, SO₂N(R¹)₂, NR¹SO₂R², NR¹COR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-S(O)_(n)R², (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-OR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-OCOR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-OSO₂R², (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-CO₂R¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-SO₂OR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-CON(R¹)₂, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-SO₂N(R¹)₂, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR¹COR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR¹SO₂R², N(R¹)₂, P(O)(OR⁵)₂, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl or phenyl, where the three last-mentioned radicals are each substituted by s radicals from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, S(O)_(n)—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy and halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, and where heterocyclyl carries n oxo groups, or

Z may also represent hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy if Y represents the S(O)_(n)R² radical,

W represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, halo-(C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, halo-(C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, (C₃-C₇)-halocycloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkoxy, S(O)_(n)—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, S(O)_(n)—(C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy-(C₁-C₄)-haloalkyl, halogen, nitro, NR³COR³ or cyano,

R represents (C₁-C₈)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₈)-alkyl, (C₂-C₈)-alkenyl, halo-(C₂-C₈)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)-alkynyl, halo-(C₂-C₈)-alkynyl, where these six abovementioned radicals are each substituted by s radicals from the group consisting of hydroxy, nitro, cyano, SiR⁵ ₃, PO(OR⁵)₂, S(O)_(n)—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, S(O)_(n)—(C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, N(R³)₂, COR³, COOR³, OCOR³, NR³COR³, NR³SO₂R⁴, O(C₁-C₂)-alkyl-(C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, phenyl, Q-heteroaryl, Q-heterocyclyl, Q-phenyl and Q-benzyl, where the seven last-mentioned radicals are each substituted by s radicals from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, methoxy, trifluoromethyl, cyano and halogen, and where heterocyclyl carries n oxo groups, or

R represents (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl or phenyl, each of which is substituted by s radicals from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, S(O)_(n)—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkoxy and (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, where heterocyclyl carries n oxo groups,

Q represents O, S or NR³,

R¹ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-haloalkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₂-C₆)-haloalkynyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkenyl, (C₃-C₆)-halocycloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-O—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, phenyl, phenyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, heteroaryl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylheteroaryl, heterocycl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylheterocyclyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-O-heteroaryl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-O-heterocyclyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR³-heteroaryl or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR³-heterocyclyl, where the 21 last-mentioned radicals are each substituted by s radicals from the group consisting of cyano, halogen, nitro, thiocyanato, OR³, S(O)_(n)R⁴, N(R³)₂, NR³OR³, COR³, OCOR³, SCOR⁴, NR³COR³, NR³SO₂R⁴, CO₂R³, COSR⁴, CON(R³)₂ and (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy-(C₂-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, and where heterocyclyl carries n oxo groups,

R² represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-haloalkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₂-C₆)-haloalkynyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkenyl, (C₃-C₆)-halocycloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-O—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, phenyl, phenyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, heteroaryl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylheteroaryl, heterocyclyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylheterocyclyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-O-heteroaryl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-O-heterocyclyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR³-heteroaryl or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR³-heterocyclyl, where the 21 last-mentioned radicals are each substituted by s radicals from the group consisting of cyano, halogen, nitro, thiocyanato, OR³, S(O)_(n)R⁴, N(R³)₂, NR³OR³, COR³, OCOR³, SCOR⁴, NR³COR³, NR³SO₂R⁴, CO₂R³, COSR⁴, CON(R³)₂ and (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy-(C₂-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, and where heterocyclyl carries n oxo groups,

R³ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl or phenyl,

R⁴ represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl or phenyl,

R⁵ represents (C₁-C₄)-alkyl,

M⁺ represents a cation selected from the group consisting of

(a) alkali metal ions,

(b) alkaline earth metals ions,

(c) transition metal ions,

(d) ammonium ions whose hydrogen atoms are substituted by p radicals from the group consisting of (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, hydroxy-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, hydroxy-(C₁-C₄)-alkoxy-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-mercaptoalkyl, phenyl and benzyl, where the abovementioned radicals are optionally substituted by n radicals from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, azido, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkoxy and phenyl, and where in each case two substituents on the nitrogen atom together may form an unsubstituted or substituted ring,

(e) phosphonium ions,

(f) sulfonium ions,

(g) sulfoxonium ions,

(h) oxonium ions,

(i) an optionally singly or multiply fused and/or (C₁-C₄)-alkyl-substituted saturated or unsaturated/aromatic N-containing heterocyclic ionic compound having 1-10 carbon atoms in the ring system,

n represents 0, 1 or 2,

p represents 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4,

s represents 0, 1, 2 or 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the formula (I) and all the formulae which follow, alkyl radicals having more than two carbon atoms may be straight-chain or branched. Alkyl radicals represent, for example, methyl, ethyl, n- or isopropyl, n-, iso-, tert- or 2-butyl, pentyls, hexyls such as n-hexyl, isohexyl and 1,3-dimethylbutyl. Analogously, alkenyl represents, for example, allyl, 1-methylprop-2-en-1-yl, 2-methylprop-2-en-1-yl, but-2-en-1-yl, but-3-en-1-yl, 1-methylbut-3-en-1-yl and 1-methylbut-2-en-1-yl. Alkynyl represents, for example, propargyl, but-2-yn-1-yl, but-3-yn-1-yl, 1-methylbut-3-yn-1-yl. The multiple bond may be in each case in any position of the unsaturated radical. Cycloalkyl represents a carbocyclic saturated ring system having three to six carbon atoms, for example cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl. Analogously, cycloalkenyl represents a monocyclic alkenyl group having three to six carbon ring members, for example cyclopropenyl, cyclobutenyl, cyclopentenyl and cyclohexenyl, where the double bond may be in any position.

Halogen represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine.

Heterocyclyl represents a saturated, semisaturated or fully unsaturated cyclic radical containing 3 to 6 ring atoms, of which 1 to 4 are from the group of oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur, and which may additionally be fused by a benzo ring. For example, heterocyclyl represents piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, dihydrofuranyl and oxetanyl.

Heteroaryl represents an aromatic cyclic radical containing 3 to 6 ring atoms, of which 1 to 4 are from the group of oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur, and which may additionally be fused by a benzo ring. For example, heteroaryl represents benzimidazol-2-yl, furanyl, imidazolyl, isoxazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, pyridinyl, benzisoxazolyl, thiazolyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, thiophenyl, 1,2,3-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,5-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,4-triazolyl, 1,2,3-triazolyl, 1,2,5-triazolyl, 1,3,4-triazolyl, 1,2,4-triazolyl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolyl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,3-thiadiazolyl, 1,2,5-thiadiazolyl, 2H-1,2,3,4-tetrazolyl, 1H-1,2,3,4-tetrazolyl, 1,2,3,4-oxatriazolyl, 1,2,3,5-oxatriazolyl, 1,2,3,4-thiatriazolyl and 1,2,3,5-thiatriazolyl.

When a group is polysubstituted by radicals, this means that this group is substituted by one or more identical or different radicals from those mentioned. This applies analogously to the formation of ring systems by various atoms and elements. At the same time, the scope of the claims shall exclude those compounds known to the person skilled in the art to be chemically unstable under standard conditions.

The definition of the cation M⁺ is to be understood such that the salts of the formula (I) according to the invention are present in a charge-neutral form. In the case of monovalent cations, this means that the counterion present is one anion. In the case of polyvalent cations, for example di- or trivalent cations, the counterions present are two or three anions.

Depending on the nature of the substituents and manner in which they are attached, the compounds of the general formula (I) may be present as stereoisomers. If, for example, one or more asymmetric carbon atoms are present, there may be enantiomers and diastereomers. Stereoisomers likewise occur when n is 1 (sulfoxides). Stereoisomers can be obtained from the mixtures obtained in the preparation by customary separation methods, for example by chromatographic separation processes. It is likewise possible to selectively prepare stereoisomers by using stereoselective reactions with use of optically active starting materials and/or auxiliaries. The invention also relates to all stereoisomers and mixtures thereof which are encompassed by the general formula (I) but not defined specifically. Owing to the oxime ether structure, the compounds according to the invention may also occur as geometric isomers (E/Z isomers). The invention also relates to all E/Z isomers and mixtures thereof which are encompassed by the general formula (I) but not defined specifically.

Preference is given to compounds of the general formula (I) in which

A represents N or CY,

B represents N or CH,

X represents nitro, halogen, cyano, thiocyanato, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, halo-(C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, halo-(C₃-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, halo-(C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-O—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, COR¹, OR¹, OCOR¹, OSO₂R², S(O)_(n)R², SO₂OR¹, SO₂N(R¹)₂, NR¹SO₂R², NR¹COR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-S(O)_(n)R², (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-OR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-OCOR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-OSO₂R², (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-CO₂R¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-SO₂OR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-CON(R¹)₂, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-SO₂N(R¹)₂, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR¹COR¹ or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR¹SO₂R², (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-heteroaryl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-heterocyclyl, where the two last-mentioned radicals are each substituted by s radicals from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, S(O)_(n)—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy and halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, and where heterocyclyl carries n oxo groups,

Y represents hydrogen, nitro, halogen, cyano, thiocyanato, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, halo-(C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, halo-(C₃-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkenyl, halo-(C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, COR¹, OR¹, COOR¹, CHNOR¹, CH₂ONC(R¹)₂, OSO₂R², S(O)_(n)R², SO₂OR¹, SO₂N(R¹)₂, N(R¹)₂, NR¹SO₂R², NR¹COR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-S(O)_(n)R², (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-OR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-OCOR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-OSO₂R², (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-CO₂R¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-SO₂OR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-CON(R¹)₂, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-SO₂N(R¹)₂, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR¹COR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR¹SO₂R², (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-phenyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-heteroaryl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-heterocyclyl, phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl, where the six last-mentioned radicals are each substituted by s radicals from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, S(O)_(n)—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl and cyanomethyl, and where heterocyclyl carries n oxo groups,

Z represents halogen, cyano, nitro, thiocyanato, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, halo-(C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, halo-(C₃-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, halo-(C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, COR¹, COOR¹, C(O)N(R¹)₂, C(O)NR¹OR¹, OSO₂R², S(O)_(n)R², SO₂OR¹, SO₂N(R¹)₂, NR¹SO₂R², NR¹COR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-S(O)_(n)R², (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-OR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-OCOR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-OSO₂R², (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-CO₂R¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-SO₂OR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-CON(R¹)₂, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-SO₂N(R¹)₂, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR¹COR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR¹SO₂R² or 1,2,4-triazol-1-yl, or

Z may also represent hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl or (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy if Y represents the S(O)_(n)R² radical,

W represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkoxy, S(O)_(n)—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, S(O)_(n)—(C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, halogen, nitro or cyano,

R represents (C₁-C₈)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₈)-alkyl, (C₂-C₈)-alkenyl, halo-(C₂-C₈)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)-alkynyl, halo-(C₂-C₈)-alkynyl, where these six abovementioned radicals are each substituted by s radicals from the group consisting of nitro, cyano, SiR⁵ ₃, P(OR⁵)₃, S(O)_(n)—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, N(R³)₂, COR³, COOR³, OCOR³, NR³COR³, NR³SO₂R⁴, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, phenyl, Q-heteroaryl, Q-heterocyclyl, Q-phenyl and Q-benzyl, where the seven last-mentioned radicals are each substituted by s radicals from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, methoxy, trifluoromethyl, cyano and halogen, and where heterocyclyl carries n oxo groups, or

R represents (C₃-C₇)-cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl or phenyl, each of which is substituted by s radicals from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, S(O)_(n)—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkoxy and (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl,

Q represents O, S or NR³,

R¹ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-O—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, phenyl, phenyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, heteroaryl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylheteroaryl, heterocyclyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylheterocyclyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-O-heteroaryl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-O-heterocyclyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR³-heteroaryl or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR³-heterocyclyl, where the sixteen last-mentioned radicals are each substituted by s radicals from the group consisting of cyano, halogen, nitro, OR³, S(O)_(n)R⁴, N(R³)₂, NR³OR³, COR³, OCOR³, NR³COR³, NR³SO₂R⁴, CO₂R³, CON(R³)₂ and (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy-(C₂-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, and where heterocyclyl carries n oxo groups,

R² represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-O—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, phenyl, phenyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, heteroaryl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylheteroaryl, heterocyclyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylheterocyclyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-O-heteroaryl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-O-heterocyclyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR³-heteroaryl or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR³-heterocyclyl, where these sixteen last-mentioned radicals are each substituted by s radicals from the group consisting of cyano, halogen, nitro, OR³, S(O)_(n)R⁴, N(R³)₂, NR³OR³, NR³SO₂R⁴, COR³, OCOR³, NR³COR³, CO₂R³, CON(R³)₂ and (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy-(C₂-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, and where heterocyclyl carries n oxo groups,

R³ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl or (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

R⁴ represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl or (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl,

R⁵ represents methyl or ethyl,

M⁺ represents a cation selected from the group consisting of

(a) ions of the alkali metals such as lithium, sodium, potassium,

(b) ions of the alkaline earth metals such as calcium and magnesium,

(c) ions of the transition metals such as manganese, copper, zinc and iron,

(d) ammonium ions whose hydrogen atoms are substituted by p radicals from the group consisting of (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, hydroxy-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, (C₃-C₄)-cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₂)-alkoxy-(C₁-C₂)-alkyl, hydroxy-(C₁-C₂)-alkoxy-(C₁-C₂)-alkyl, (C₁-C₂)-mercaptoalkyl, phenyl and benzyl, where the abovementioned radicals are substituted by n radicals from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, azido, (C₁-C₂)-alkyl, (C₁-C₂)-haloalkyl, (C₃-C₄)-cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₂)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₂)-haloalkoxy and phenyl, and where in each case two substituents on the nitrogen atom together optionally form an unsubstituted or substituted ring,

(e) quarternary phosphonium ions such as tetra-((C₁-C₄)-alkyl)phosphonium and tetraphenylphosponium, where the (C₁-C₄)-alkyl radicals and the phenyl radicals are substituted by p radicals from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₂)-alkyl, (C₁-C₂)-haloalkyl, (C₃-C₄)-cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₂)-alkoxy and (C₁-C₂)-haloalkoxy,

(f) tertiary sulfonium ions such as ti-((C₁-C₄)-alkyl)sulfonium,

(g) tertiary sulfoxonium ions such as ti-((C₁-C₄)-alkyl)sulfoxonium,

(h) tertiary oxonium ions such as tri-((C₁-C₄)-alkyl)oxonium, where the (C₁-C₄)-alkyl radicals are substituted by p radicals from the group consisting of halogen (C₁-C₂)-alkyl, (C₁-C₂)-haloalkyl, (C₃-C₄)-cycloalkyl, (C₁-C₂)-alkoxy and (C₁-C₂)-haloalkoxy,

(i) ions derived from heterocyclic compounds consisting of the group pyridine, quinoline, 2-methylpyridine, 3-methylpyridine, 4-methylpyridine, 2,4-dimethylpyridine, 2,5-dimethylpyridine, 2,6-dimethylpyridine, 5-ethyl-2-methylpyridine, piperidine, pyrrolidine, morpholine, thiomorpholine, pyrrole, imidazole, 1,5-diazabicyclo-[4.3.0]non-5-ene (DBN) and 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU),

n represents 0, 1 or 2,

p represents 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4,

s represents 0, 1, 2 or 3.

Particular preference is given to compounds of the general formula (I) in which

A represents N or CY,

B represents N or CH,

X represents nitro, halogen, cyano, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, OR¹, S(O)_(n)R², (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-S(O)_(n)R², (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-OR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-CON(R¹)₂, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-SO₂N(R¹)₂, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR¹COR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR¹SO₂R², (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-heteroaryl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylheterocyclyl, where the two last-mentioned radicals are substituted in each case by s radicals from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, S(O)_(n)—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy and halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, and where heterocyclyl carries n oxo groups,

Y represents hydrogen, nitro, halogen, cyano, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-haloalkyl, OR¹, S(O)_(n)R², SO₂N(R¹)₂, N(R¹)₂, CHNOR¹, CH₂ONC(R¹)₂, NR¹SO₂R², NR¹COR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-S(O)_(n)R², (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-OR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-CON(R¹)₂, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-SO₂N(R¹)₂, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR¹COR¹, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR¹SO₂R², (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-phenyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-heteroaryl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-heterocyclyl, phenyl, heteroaryl or heterocyclyl, where the six last-mentioned radicals are each substituted by s radicals from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, S(O)_(n)—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl and cyanomethyl, and where heterocyclyl carries n oxo groups,

Z represents halogen, cyano, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, S(O)_(n)R², 1,2,4-triazol-1-yl, or

Z may also represent hydrogen, methyl, methoxy or ethoxy if Y represents the S(O)_(n)R² radical,

W represents hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, methoxymethyl, methoxy, fluorine, chlorine or S(O)_(n)CH₃,

R represents (C₁-C₈)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₈)-alkyl, (C₂-C₈)-alkenyl, halo-(C₂-C₈)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)-alkynyl, halo-(C₂-C₈)-alkynyl, where these six abovementioned radicals are each substituted by s radicals from the group consisting of cyano, S(O)_(n)—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, COR³, COOR³, OCOR³, NR³COR³, NR³SO₂R⁴, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl and phenyl, where the three last-mentioned radicals are each substituted by s radicals from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, methoxy, trifluoromethyl, cyano and halogen, and where heterocyclyl carries 0 to 2 oxo groups, or

R represents phenyl which is substituted by s radicals from the group consisting of halogen, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, S(O)_(n)—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkoxy and (C₁-C₆)-alkoxy-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl,

R¹ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkenyl, (C₂-C₆)-alkynyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-O—(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, phenyl, phenyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, heteroaryl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylheteroaryl, heterocyclyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkylheterocyclyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-O-heteroaryl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-O-heterocyclyl, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR³-heteroaryl or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-NR³-heterocyclyl, where the sixteen last-mentioned radicals are each substituted by s radicals from the group consisting of cyano, halogen, nitro, OR³, S(O)_(n)R⁴, N(R³)₂, NR³OR³, COR³, OCOR³, NR³COR³, NR³SO₂R⁴, CO₂R³, CON(R³)₂ and (C₁-C₄)-alkoxy-(C₂-C₆)-alkoxycarbonyl, and where heterocyclyl carries n oxo groups,

R² represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl or (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, each substituted by s radicals from the group consisting of halogen and OR³,

R³ represents hydrogen or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

R⁴ represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl,

R⁵ represents methyl or ethyl,

M⁺ represents a cation selected from the group consisting of sodium ion, potassium ion, lithium ion, magnesium ion, calcium ion, NH₄ ⁺ ion, (2-hydroxyeth-1-yl)ammonium ion, bis-N,N-(2-hydroxyeth-1-yl)-ammonium ion, tris-N,N,N-(2-hydroxyeth-1-yl)ammonium ion, tetra-N,N,N,N-(2-hydroxyeth-1-yl)ammonium ion, N-(2-hydroxyeth-1-yl)-tris-N,N,N-methylammonium ion, methylammonium ion, dimethylammonium ion, trimethylammonium ion, tetramethylammonium ion, ethylammonium ion, diethylammonium ion, triethylammonium ion, tetraethylammonium ion, isopropylammonium ion, diisopropylammonium ion, tetrapropylammonium ion, tetrabutylammonium ion, 2-(2-hydroxyeth-1-oxy)eth-1-ylammonium ion, di-(2-hydroxyeth-1-yl)ammonium ion, trimethylbenzylammonium ion, tri-((C₁-C₄)-alkyl)sulfonium ion, benzylammonium ion, 1-phenylethylammonium ion, 2-phenylethylammonium ion, diisopropylethylammonium ion, pyridinium ion, piperidinium ion, imidazolium ion, morpholinium ion, 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-enium ion,

n represents 0, 1 or 2,

s represents 0, 1, 2 or 3.

In all the formulae specified hereinafter, the substituents and symbols have the same meaning as described in formula (I), unless defined differently.

Compounds according to the invention can be prepared, for example, by the method indicated in Scheme 1 by with deprotonation of an N-(tetrazol-5-yl)- and N-(triazol-5-yl)benzamide and nicotinamide (II) with a suitable base of the formula M⁺B⁻ (Scheme 11), where B⁻, for example, hydride, hydroxy-oder alkoxy anions, such as methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy or t-butoxy.

The N-(tetrazol-5-yl)- and N-(triazol-5-yl)benzamides and nicotinamides of the formula (II) can be prepared, for example, by the methods described in WO 2012/028579 A1, EP11176378 and EP11187669.

Collections of compounds of the formula (I) which can be synthesized by the abovementioned reactions can also be prepared in a parallelized manner, in which case this may be accomplished in a manual, partly automated or fully automated manner. It is possible, for example, to automate the conduct of the reaction, the workup or the purification of the products and/or intermediates. Overall, this is understood to mean a procedure as described, for example, by D. Tiebes in Combinatorial Chemistry—Synthesis, Analysis, Screening (editor Günther Jung), Wiley, 1999, on pages 1 to 34.

For the parallelized conduct of the reaction and workup, it is possible to use a number of commercially available instruments, for example Calypso reaction blocks from Barnstead International, Dubuque, Iowa 52004-0797, USA or reaction stations from Radleys, Shirehill, Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 3AZ, England, or MultiPROBE Automated Workstations from PerkinElmer, Waltham, Mass. 02451, USA. For the parallelized purification of compounds of the general formula (I) or of intermediates which occur in the course of preparation, available apparatuses include chromatography apparatuses, for example from ISCO, Inc., 4700 Superior Street, Lincoln, Nebr. 68504, USA.

The apparatuses detailed lead to a modular procedure in which the individual working steps are automated, but manual operations have to be carried out between the working steps. This can be circumvented by using partly or fully integrated automation systems in which the respective automation modules are operated, for example, by robots. Automation systems of this type can be obtained, for example, from Caliper, Hopkinton, Mass. 01748, USA.

The implementation of single or multiple synthesis steps can be supported by the use of polymer-supported reagents/scavenger resins. The specialist literature describes a series of experimental protocols, for example in ChemFiles, Vol. 4, No. 1, Polymer-Supported Scavengers and Reagents for Solution-Phase Synthesis (Sigma-Aldrich).

Besides the methods described herein, the preparation of compounds of the general formula (I) can take place completely or partially by solid-phase-supported methods. For this purpose, individual intermediates or all intermediates in the synthesis or a synthesis adapted for the corresponding procedure are bound to a synthesis resin. Solid-phase-supported synthesis methods are described adequately in the technical literature, for example Barry A. Bunin in “The Combinatorial Index”, Academic Press, 1998 and Combinatorial Chemistry—Synthesis, Analysis, Screening (editor Günther Jung), Wiley, 1999. The use of solid-phase-supported synthesis methods permits a number of protocols, which are known from the literature and which for their part may be performed manually or in an automated manner. The reactions can be performed, for example, by means of IRORI technology in microreactors from Nexus Biosystems, 12140 Community Road, Poway, Calif. 92064, USA.

Both in the solid and in the liquid phase, individual or several synthesis steps may be supported by the use of microwave technology. The specialist literature describes a series of experimental protocols, for example in Microwaves in Organic and Medicinal Chemistry (editor C. O. Kappe and A. Stadler), Wiley, 2005.

The preparation by the processes described herein gives compounds of the formula (I) in the form of substance collections, which are called libraries. The present invention also provides libraries comprising at least two compounds of the formula (I).

The compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention have excellent herbicidal activity against a broad spectrum of economically important mono- and dicotyledonous annual harmful plants. The active compounds also have good control over perennial harmful plants which are difficult to control and produce shoots from rhizomes, root stocks or other perennial organs.

The present invention therefore also provides a method for controlling unwanted plants or for regulating the growth of plants, preferably in plant crops, in which one or more compound(s) according to the invention is/are applied to the plants (for example harmful plants such as monocotyledonous or dicotyledonous weeds or unwanted crop plants), the seed (for example grains, seeds or vegetative propagules such as tubers or shoot parts with buds) or the area on which the plants grow (for example the area under cultivation). The compounds according to the invention can be deployed, for example, prior to sowing (if appropriate also by incorporation into the soil), prior to emergence or after emergence. Specific examples of some representatives of the monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weed flora which can be controlled by the compounds according to the invention are as follows, though the enumeration is not intended to impose a restriction to particular species.

Monocotyledonous harmful plants of the genera: Aegilops, Agropyron, Agrostis, Alopecurus, Apera, Avena, Brachiaria, Bromus, Cenchrus, Commelina, Cynodon, Cyperus, Dactyloctenium, Digitaria, Echinochloa, Eleocharis, Eleusine, Eragrostis, Eriochloa, Festuca, Fimbristylis, Heteranthera, Imperata, Ischaemum, Leptochloa, Lolium, Monochoria, Panicum, Paspalum, Phalaris, Phleum, Poa, Rottboellia, Sagittaria, Scirpus, Setaria, Sorghum.

Dicotyledonous weeds of the genera: Abutilon, Amaranthus, Ambrosia, Anoda, Anthemis, Aphanes, Artemisia, Atriplex, Bellis, Bidens, Capsella, Carduus, Cassia, Centaurea, Chenopodium, Cirsium, Convolvulus, Datura, Desmodium, Emex, Erysimum, Euphorbia, Galeopsis, Galinsoga, Galium, Hibiscus, Ipomoea, Kochia, Lamium, Lepidium, Lindernia, Matricaria, Mentha, Mercurialis, Mullugo, Myosotis, Papaver, Pharbitis, Plantago, Polygonum, Portulaca, Ranunculus, Raphanus, Rorippa, Rotala, Rumex, Salsola, Senecio, Sesbania, Sida, Sinapis, Solanum, Sonchus, Sphenoclea, Stellaria, Taraxacum, Thlaspi, Trifolium, Urtica, Veronica, Viola, Xanthium.

When the compounds according to the invention are applied to the soil surface before germination, either the weed seedlings are prevented completely from emerging or the weeds grow until they have reached the cotyledon stage, but then stop growing and eventually, after three to four weeks have elapsed, die completely.

If the active compounds are applied post-emergence to the green parts of the plants, growth stops after the treatment, and the harmful plants remain at the growth stage at the time of application, or they die completely after a certain time, so that in this manner competition by the weeds, which is harmful to the crop plants, is eliminated very early and in a lasting manner.

Although the compounds according to the invention display an outstanding herbicidal activity against monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weeds, crop plants of economically important crops, for example dicotyledonous crops of the genera Arachis, Beta, Brassica, Cucumis, Cucurbita, Helianthus, Daucus, Glycine, Gossypium, Ipomoea, Lactuca, Linum, Lycopersicon, Nicotiana, Phaseolus, Pisum, Solanum, Vicia, or monocotyledonous crops of the genera Allium, Ananas, Asparagus, Avena, Hordeum, Oryza, Panicum, Saccharum, Secale, Sorghum, Triticale, Triticum, Zea, in particular Zea and Triticum, are damaged only to an insignificant extent, or not at all, depending on the structure of the respective compound according to the invention and its application rate. For these reasons, the present compounds are very suitable for the selective control of unwanted plant growth in plant crops such as agriculturally useful plants or ornamentals.

In addition, the compounds according to the invention (depending on their particular structure and the application rate deployed) have outstanding growth-regulating properties in crop plants. They intervene to regulate the plant's metabolism and can thus be used for controlled influence on plant constituents and to facilitate harvesting, for example by triggering desiccation and stunted growth. In addition, they are also suitable for general control and inhibition of unwanted vegetative growth without killing the plants. Inhibiting vegetative growth plays a major role for many monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous crops, since, for example, this can reduce or completely prevent lodging.

By virtue of their herbicidal and plant-growth-regulating properties, the active compounds can also be used for controlling harmful plants in crops of genetically modified plants or plants modified by conventional mutagenesis. In general, transgenic plants are notable for special advantageous properties, for example for resistances to certain pesticides, in particular certain herbicides, resistances to plant diseases or organisms that cause plant diseases, such as certain insects or microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria or viruses. Other particular properties relate, for example, to the harvested material with regard to quantity, quality, storability, composition and specific constituents. For instance, there are known transgenic plants with an elevated starch content or altered starch quality, or those with a different fatty acid composition in the harvested material.

It is preferred, with respect to transgenic crops, to use the compounds according to the invention in economically important transgenic crops of useful plants and ornamentals, for example of cereals such as wheat, barley, rye, oats, millet/sorghum, rice cassava and corn or else crops of sugar beet, cotton, soybean, oilseed rape, potato, tomato, peas and other vegetables. It is preferred to employ the compounds according to the invention as herbicides in crops of useful plants which are resistant, or have been made resistant by recombinant means, to the phytotoxic effects of the herbicides.

It is preferred to use the compounds according to the invention in economically important transgenic crops of useful plants and ornamentals, for example of cereals such as wheat, barley, rye, oats, millet/sorghum, rice, cassava and corn or else crops of sugar beet, cotton, soybean, oilseed rape, potato, tomato, peas and other vegetables. It is preferred to employ the compounds according to the invention as herbicides in crops of useful plants which are resistant, or have been made resistant by recombinant means, to the phytotoxic effects of the herbicides.

Conventional ways of producing novel plants which have modified properties in comparison to plants which have occurred to date consist, for example, in traditional breeding methods and the generation of mutants. Alternatively, novel plants with modified properties can be generated with the aid of recombinant methods (see, for example, EP-A-0221044, EP-A-0131624). For example, there have been many descriptions of

-   -   recombinant modifications of crop plants for the purpose of         modifying the starch synthesized in the plants (e.g. WO         92/11376, WO 92/14827, WO 91/19806),     -   transgenic crop plants which are resistant to particular         herbicides of the glufosinate type (cf., for example,         EP-A-0242236, EP-A-242246) or glyphosate type (WO 92/00377) or         of the sulfonylurea type (EP-A-0257993, U.S. Pat. No.         5,013,659),     -   transgenic crop plants, for example cotton, with the ability to         produce Bacillus thuringiensis toxins (Bt toxins) which make the         plants resistant to particular pests (EP-A-0142924,         EP-A-0193259).     -   transgenic crop plants with a modified fatty acid composition         (WO 91/13972).     -   genetically modified crop plants with novel constituents or         secondary metabolites, for example novel phytoalexins, which         bring about an increased disease resistance (EPA 309862,         EPA0464461).     -   genetically modified plants with reduced photorespiration which         feature higher yields and higher stress tolerance (EPA 0305398).     -   transgenic crop plants which produce pharmaceutically or         diagnostically important proteins (“molecular pharming”)     -   transgenic crop plants which feature higher yields or better         quality     -   transgenic crop plants which are distinguished by a combination,         for example, of the abovementioned novel properties (“gene         stacking”)

A large number of molecular-biological techniques by means of which novel transgenic plants with modified properties can be generated are known in principle; see, for example, I. Potrykus and G. Spangenberg (eds.) Gene Transfer to Plants, Springer Lab Manual (1995), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg. or Christou, “Trends in Plant Science” 1 (1996) 423-431).

For such recombinant manipulations, nucleic acid molecules which allow mutagenesis or a sequence change by recombination of DNA sequences can be introduced into plasmids. With the aid of standard methods, it is possible, for example, to undertake base exchanges, remove parts of sequences or add natural or synthetic sequences. For the joining of the DNA fragments to one another, adaptors or linkers can be attached to the fragments; see, for example, Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.; or Winnacker “Gene and Klone” [Genes and Clones], VCH Weinheim 2nd edition 1996.

For example, the generation of plant cells with a reduced activity of a gene product can be achieved by expressing at least one corresponding antisense RNA, a sense RNA for achieving a cosuppression effect, or by expressing at least one suitably constructed ribozyme which specifically cleaves transcripts of the abovementioned gene product. To this end, it is possible firstly to use DNA molecules which encompass the entire coding sequence of a gene product inclusive of any flanking sequences which may be present, and also DNA molecules which only encompass portions of the coding sequence, it being necessary for these portions to be long enough to have an antisense effect in the cells. The use of DNA sequences which have a high degree of homology to the coding sequences of a gene product, but are not completely identical to them, is also possible.

When expressing nucleic acid molecules in plants, the protein synthesized may be localized in any desired compartment of the plant cell. However, in order to achieve localization in a particular compartment, it is possible, for example, to join the coding region to DNA sequences which ensure localization in a particular compartment. Such sequences are known to those skilled in the art (see, for example, Braun et al., EMBO J. 11 (1992), 3219-3227; Wolter et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85 (1988), 846-850; Sonnewald et al., Plant J. 1 (1991), 95-106). The nucleic acid molecules can also be expressed in the organelles of the plant cells.

The transgenic plant cells can be regenerated by known techniques to give whole plants. In principle, the transgenic plants may be plants of any desired plant species, i.e. both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants.

For instance, it is possible to obtain transgenic plants whose properties are altered by overexpression, suppression or inhibition of homologous (=natural) genes or gene sequences, or expression of heterologous (=foreign) genes or gene sequences.

Preferably, the compounds according to the invention can be used in transgenic crops which are resistant to growth regulators, for example dicamba, or to herbicides which inhibit essential plant enzymes, for example acetolactate synthases (ALS), EPSP synthases, glutamine synthases (GS) or hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenases (HPPD), or to herbicides from the group of the sulfonylureas, the glyphosates, glufosinates or benzoylisoxazoles and analogous active compounds.

On employment of the active compounds according to the invention in transgenic crops, not only do the effects toward harmful plants observed in other crops occur, but often also effects which are specific to application in the particular transgenic crop, for example an altered or specifically widened spectrum of weeds which can be controlled, altered application rates which can be used for the application, preferably good combinability with the herbicides to which the transgenic crop is resistant, and influencing of growth and yield of the transgenic crop plants.

The invention therefore also provides for the use of the compounds according to the invention as herbicides for control of harmful plants in transgenic crop plants.

Compared to their corresponding acids, the compounds according to the invention have higher solubility in water and therefore, for example, more advantageous formulation properties. They are highly suitable for preparing water-based formulations.

The compounds according to the invention can be applied in the form of wettable powders, emulsifiable concentrates, sprayable solutions, dusting products or granules in the customary formulations. The invention therefore also provides herbicidal and plant growth-regulating compositions which comprise the compounds according to the invention.

The compounds according to the invention can be formulated in various ways, according to the biological and/or physicochemical parameters required. Examples of possible formulations include: wettable powders (WP), water-soluble powders (SP), water-soluble concentrates, emulsifiable concentrates (EC), emulsions (EW), such as oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions, sprayable solutions, suspension concentrates (SC), oil- or water-based dispersions, oil-miscible solutions, capsule suspensions (CS), dusting products (DP), seed-dressing products, granules for broadcasting and soil application, granules (GR) in the form of microgranules, sprayable granules, coated granules and adsorption granules, water-dispersible granules (WG), water-soluble granules (SG), ULV formulations, microcapsules and waxes. These individual formulation types are known in principle and are described, for example, in: Winnacker-Küchler, “Chemische Technologie” [Chemical Technology], Volume 7, C. Hanser Verlag Munich, 4th. ed. 1986; Wade van Valkenburg, “Pesticide Formulations”, Marcel Dekker, N.Y., 1973; K. Martens, “Spray Drying” Handbook, 3rd ed. 1979, G. Goodwin Ltd. London.

The necessary formulation assistants, such as inert materials, surfactants, solvents and further additives, are likewise known and are described, for example, in: Watkins, “Handbook of Insecticide Dust Diluents and Carriers”, 2nd Ed., Darland Books, Caldwell N.J., H. v. Olphen, “Introduction to Clay Colloid Chemistry”; 2nd ed., J. Wiley & Sons, N.Y.; C. Marsden, “Solvents Guide”; 2nd ed., Interscience, N.Y. 1963; McCutcheon's “Detergents and Emulsifiers Annual”, MC Publ. Corp., Ridgewood N.J.; Sisley and Wood, “Encyclopedia of Surface Active Agents”, Chem. Publ. Co. Inc., N.Y. 1964; Schönfeldt, “Grenzflächenaktive Äthylenoxidaddukte” [Interface-active Ethylene Oxide Adducts], Wiss. Verlagsgesell., Stuttgart 1976; Winnacker-Küchler, “Chemische Technologie” [Chemical Engineering], volume 7, C. Hanser Verlag Munich, 4th ed. 1986.

Based on these formulations, it is also possible to produce combinations with other pesticidally active compounds, such as, for example, insecticides, acaricides, herbicides, fungicides, and also with safeners, fertilizers and/or growth regulators, for example in the form of a finished formulation or as a tank mix. Suitable safeners are, for example, mefenpyr-diethyl, cyprosulfamide, isoxadifen-ethyl, cloquintocet-mexyl and dichlormid.

Wettable powders are preparations which can be dispersed uniformly in water and, in addition to the active compound, apart from a diluent or inert substance, also comprise surfactants of the ionic and/or nonionic type (wetting agents, dispersants), for example polyoxyethylated alkylphenols, polyoxyethylated fatty alcohols, polyoxyethylated fatty amines, fatty alcohol polyglycol ether sulfates, alkanesulfonates, alkylbenzenesulfonates, sodium lignosulfonate, sodium 2,2′-dinaphthylmethane-6,6′-disulfonate, sodium dibutylnaphthalenesulfonate or else sodium oleoylmethyltaurate. To prepare the wettable powders, the herbicidally active compounds are ground finely, for example in customary apparatus such as hammer mills, blower mills and air-jet mills, and simultaneously or subsequently mixed with the formulation auxiliaries.

Emulsifiable concentrates are produced by dissolving the active compound in an organic solvent, for example butanol, cyclohexanone, dimethylformamide, xylene, or else relatively high-boiling aromatics or hydrocarbons or mixtures of the organic solvents, with addition of one or more ionic and/or nonionic surfactants (emulsifiers). Emulsifiers used may, for example, be: calcium alkylarylsulfonates such as calcium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, or nonionic emulsifiers such as fatty acid polyglycol esters, alkylaryl polyglycol ethers, fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers, propylene oxide-ethylene oxide condensation products, alkyl polyethers, sorbitan esters, for example sorbitan fatty acid esters, or polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters, for example polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters.

Dusts are obtained by grinding the active compound with finely distributed solid substances, for example talc, natural clays, such as kaolin, bentonite and pyrophyllite, or diatomaceous earth.

Suspension concentrates may be water- or oil-based. They can be produced, for example, by wet grinding by means of commercial bead mills with optional addition of surfactants as already listed above, for example, for the other formulation types.

Emulsions, for example oil-in-water emulsions (EW), can be produced, for example, by means of stirrers, colloid mills and/or static mixers using aqueous organic solvents and optionally surfactants as already listed above, for example, for the other formulation types.

Granules can be prepared either by spraying the active compound onto adsorptive granular inert material or by applying active compound concentrates to the surface of carriers, such as sand, kaolinites or granular inert material, by means of adhesives, for example polyvinyl alcohol, sodium polyacrylates or else mineral oils. Suitable active compounds can also be granulated in the manner customary for the production of fertilizer granules—if desired as a mixture with fertilizers.

Water-dispersible granules are prepared generally by the customary processes such as spray-drying, fluidized bed granulation, pan granulation, mixing with high-speed mixers and extrusion without solid inert material.

For the production of pan granules, fluidized bed granules, extruder granules and spray granules, see, for example, processes in “Spray-Drying Handbook” 3rd ed. 1979, G. Goodwin Ltd., London, J. E. Browning, “Agglomeration”, Chemical and Engineering 1967, pages 147 ff.; “Perry's Chemical Engineer's Handbook”, 5th Ed., McGraw-Hill, New York 1973, pp. 8-57.

For further details regarding the formulation of crop protection agents, see, for example, G. C. Klingman, “Weed Control as a Science”, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1961, pages 81-96 and J. D. Freyer, S. A. Evans, “Weed Control Handbook”, 5th ed., Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford, 1968, pages 101-103.

The agrochemical formulations contain generally 0.1 to 99% by weight, especially 0.1 to 95% by weight, of compounds according to the invention.

In wettable powders, the active compound concentration is, for example, about 10 to 90% by weight, the remainder to 100% by weight consisting of customary formulation constituents. In emulsifiable concentrates, the active compound concentration may be about 1 to 90% and preferably 5 to 80% by weight. Formulations in the form of dusts comprise 1 to 30% by weight of active compound, preferably usually 5 to 20% by weight of active compound; sprayable solutions contain about 0.05 to 80% and preferably 2 to 50% by weight of active compound. In the case of water-dispersible granules, the active compound content depends partly on whether the active compound is present in liquid or solid form and on which granulation assistants, fillers, etc., are used. In the water-dispersible granules, the content of active compound is, for example, between 1 and 95% by weight, preferably between 10 and 80% by weight.

In addition, the active compound formulations mentioned optionally comprise the respective customary tackifiers, wetting agents, dispersants, emulsifiers, penetrants, preservatives, antifreeze agents and solvents, fillers, carriers and dyes, defoamers, evaporation inhibitors and agents which influence the pH and the viscosity.

Based on these formulations, it is also possible to produce combinations with other pesticidally active compounds, such as, for example, insecticides, acaricides, herbicides, fungicides, and also with safeners, fertilizers and/or growth regulators, for example in the form of a finished formulation or as a tank mix.

For application, the formulations in commercial form are, if appropriate, diluted in a customary manner, for example in the case of wettable powders, emulsifiable concentrates, dispersions and water-dispersible granules with water. Preparations in the form of dusts, granules for soil application or granules for sowing and sprayable solutions are usually not diluted further with other inert substances prior to application.

The required application rate of the compounds of the formula (I) varies with the external conditions, including temperature, humidity and the type of herbicide used. It can vary within wide limits, for example between 0.001 and 1.0 kg/ha or more active substance, but it is preferably between 0.005 and 750 g/ha.

The examples below illustrate the invention.

A. Chemical Examples

Synthesis of 2-methylsulfonyl-4-trifluoromethyl-N-(1-methyltetrazol-5-yl)benzamide-sodium salt (No. 1-2)

0.105 ml (0.57 mmol) of sodium methoxide solution (30% in methanol) are added to 200 mg (0.57 mmol) of 2-methylsulfonyl-4-trifluoromethyl-N-(1-methyltetrazol-5-yl)benzamide in 5 ml of methanol, and the mixture is concentrated to dryness. This gives 210 mg of crystals (quant. yield).

The examples listed in the tables below were prepared analogously to the abovementioned methods or are obtainable analogously to the abovementioned methods. The compounds listed in the tables below are very particularly preferred.

The abbreviations used mean:

Et=ethyl Me=methyl Pr=Pr c-Pr=c-propyl

TABLE 1 Compounds of the general formula (I) in which A represents CY, B represents N and W represents hydrogen

Physical data (¹H-NMR, DMSO-d₆, No. R X Y Z M⁺ 400 MHz) 1-1  Me Cl H SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-2  Me SO₂Me H CF3 Na⁺ 8.13 (d, 1H), 8.04 (dd, 1H), 7.94 (d, 1H), 3.74 (s, 1H), 3.61 (s, 3H) 1-3  Me SO₂Me H CF₃ Pr₄N⁺ 8.12 (d, 1H), 8.04 (dd, 1H), 7.92 (d, 1H), 3.75 (s, 3H), 3.61 (s, 3H), 3.12 (m, 8H), 1.61 (m, 8H), 0.89 (t, 12H) 1-4  Me SO₂Me H CF₃ Me₃N(C₂H₄OH)⁺ 8.12 (d, 1H), 8.03 (dd, 1H), 7.92 (d, 1H), 5.30 (bs, 1H), 3.82 (m, 2H), 3.75 (s, 3H), 3.61 (s, 3H), 3.39 (m, 2H), 3.10 (s, 9H) 1-5  Me Me SMe CF₃ Na⁺ 1-6  MeOC₂H₄ Me SMe CF₃ Na⁺ 1-7  Me Me SOMe CF₃ Na⁺ 7.65 (d, 1H), 7.63 (d, 1H), 3.69 (s, 3H), 3.16 (s, 3H), 2.52 (s, 3H) 1-8  Me Me SOMe CF₃ Me₃N(C₂H₄OH)⁺ 7.64 (d, 1H), 7.62 (d, 1H), 3.82 (m, 2H), 3.69 (s, 3H), 3.33 (m, 2H), 3.10 (s, 9H), 2.99 (s, 3H), 2.52 (s, 3H) 1-9  Et Me SOMe CF₃ Na⁺ 1-10  Me Me SO₂Me CF₃ Na⁺ 1-11  Et Me SO₂Me CF₃ Na⁺ 7.81 (d, 1H), 7.74 (d, 1H), 4.09 (q, 2H), 3.16 (s, 3H), 2.52 (s, 3H), 1.32 (t, 3H) 1-12  Et Me SO₂Me CF₃ Me₃N(C₂H₄OH)⁺ 7.79 (d, 1H), 7.71 (d, 1H), 4.08 (q, 2H), 3.82 (m, 2H), 3.34 (m, 2H), 3.34 (s, 3H), 3.10 (s, 9H), 2.52 (s, 3H), 1.32 (t, 3H) 1-13  Pr Me SO₂Me CF₃ Na⁺ 7.80 (d, 1H), 7.71 (d, 1H), 4.03 (t, 2H), 3.16 (s, 3H), 2.52 (s, 3H), 1.74 (m, 2H), 0.84 (t, 3H) 1-14  Pr Me SO₂Me CF₃ Me₃N(C₂H₄OH)⁺ 7.79 (d, 1H), 7.69 (d, 1H), 4.03 (t, 2H), 3.82 (m, 2H), 3.36 (m, 2H), 3.34 (s, 3H), 3.10 (s, 9H), 2.52 (s, 3H), 1.74 (m, 2H), 0.84 (t, 3H) 1-15  MeOC₂H₄ Me SO₂Me CF₃ Na⁺ 1-16  Me Me SEt CF₃ Na⁺ 1-17  Et Me SEt CF₃ Na⁺ 1-18  Me Me SOEt CF₃ Na⁺ 1-19  Et Me SOEt CF₃ Na⁺ 1-20  Me Me SO₂Et CF₃ Na⁺ 1-21  Et Me SO₂Et CF₃ Na⁺ 1-22  Me Me SMe CN Na⁺ 1-23  Me Me SOMe CN Na⁺ 1-24  Me Me SO₂Me CN Na⁺ 1-25  Me Me SMe Cl Na⁺ 1-26  Me Me SOMe Cl Na⁺ 1-27  Me Me SO₂Me Cl Na⁺ 1-28  Me Me SEt Cl Na⁺ 1-29  Me Me SOEt Cl Na⁺ 1-30  Et Me SOEt Cl Na⁺ 1-31  Me Me SO₂Et Cl Na⁺ 1-32  Me Me SMe Br Na⁺ 1-33  Me Me SEt Br Na+ 1-34  Me Me 4,5-dihydro-1,2- SO₂Me Na⁺ oxazol-3-yl 1-35  Et Me 4,5-dihydro-1,2- SO₂Me Na⁺ oxazol-3-yl 1-36  Me Me pyrazol-1-yl SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-37  Et Me pyrazol-1-yl SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-38  Me Me OMe SO₂Me Na⁺ 7.59 (d, 1H), 7.45 (d, 1H), 3.84 (s, 3H), 3.67 (s, 3H), 3.16 (s, 3H), 2.42 (s, 3H) 1-39  Me Me SMe SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-40  Me Me SOMe SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-41  Me Me SO₂Me SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-42  Et Me SO₂Me SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-43  Me Me SEt SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-44  Me Me SOEt SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-45  Me Me SO₂Et SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-46  Et Me SO₂Et SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-47  Me Me SCH₂CH₂OMe SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-48  Me Me SOCH₂CH₂OMe SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-49  Me Me SO₂CH₂CH₂OMe SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-50  Me Et SMe CF₃ Na⁺ 1-51  Me Et SOMe CF₃ Na⁺ 1-52  Me Et SO₂Me CF₃ Na⁺ 1-53  Me Et SEt CF₃ Na⁺ 1-54  Me Et SOEt CF₃ Na⁺ 1-55  Me Et SO₂Et CF₃ Na⁺ 1-56  Me Et SMe Cl Na⁺ 1-57  Et Et SMe Cl Na⁺ 1-58  Me Et SOMe Cl Na⁺ 1-59  Me Et SEt Cl Na⁺ 1-60  Me Et SOEt Cl Na⁺ 1-61  Me Et SO₂Et Cl Na⁺ 1-62  Me Et SMe Br Na⁺ 1-63  Me Et SO₂Me Br Na⁺ 1-64  Me Pr SMe CF₃ Na⁺ 1-65  Me Pr SOMe CF₃ Na⁺ 1-66  Me c-Pr SMe CF₃ Na⁺ 1-67  Me c-Pr SOMe CF₃ Na⁺ 1-68  Me c-Pr SO₂Me CF₃ Na⁺ 1-69  Me CH₂OMe SMe CF₃ Na⁺ 1-70  Me CH₂OMe SOMe CF₃ Na⁺ 1-71  Me CH₂OMe SO₂Me CF₃ Na⁺ 1-72  Me CH₂OMe SEt CF₃ Na⁺ 1-73  Me CH₂OMe SOEt CF₃ Na⁺ 1-74  Me CH₂OMe SO₂Et CF₃ Na⁺ 1-75  Me CH₂OMe SMe SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-76  Me CH₂OMe SOMe SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-77  Me CH₂OMe SO₂Me SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-78  Me OMe SMe CF₃ Na⁺ 7.54 (d, 1H), 7.43 (d, 1H), 3.95 (s, 3H), 3.69 (s, 3H), 2.38 (s, 3H) 1-79  Me OMe SMe CF₃ Me₃N(C₂H₄OH)⁺ 7.52 (d, 1H), 7.42 (d, 1H), 3.96 (s, 3H), 3.82 (m, 2H), 3.68 (s, 3H), 3.37 (m, 2H), 3.10 (s, 9H), 2.38 (s, 3H) 1-80  Me OMe SOMe CF₃ Na⁺ 7.78 (d, 1H), 7.51 (d, 1H), 3.99 (s, 3H), 3.70 (s, 3H), 3.04 (s, 3H) 1-81  Me OMe SOMe CF₃ Me₃N(C₂H₄OH)⁺ 7.76 (d, 1H), 7.50 (d, 1H), 4.00 (s, 3H), 3.82 (m, 2H), 3.69 (s, 3H), 3.39 (m, 2H), 3.10 (s, 9H), 3.03 (s, 3H) 1-82  Me OMe SO₂Me CF₃ Na⁺ 1-83  Me OMe SO₂Me CF₃ Me₃N(C₂H₄OH)⁺ 1-84  Me OMe SMe CHF₂ Na⁺ 7.52 (d, 1H), 7.30 (t, 1H), 7.29 (d, 1H), 3.94 (s, 3H), 3.67 (s, 3H), 2.36 (s, 3H) 1-85  Me OMe SMe CHF₂ Pr₄N⁺ 7.51 (d, 1H), 7.30 (t, 1H), 7.29 (d, 1H), 3.94 (s, 3H), 3.67 (s, 3H), 3.12 (m, 8H), 2.36 (s, 3H), 1.61 (m, 8H), 0.90 (t, 12H) 1-86  Me OMe SMe CHF₂ Me₃N(C₂H₄OH)⁺ 7.51 (d, 1H), 7.30 (t, 1H), 7.29 (d, 1H), 3.94 (s, 3H), 3.84 (m, 2H), 3.67 (s, 3H), 3.34 (m, 2H), 3.11 (s, 9H), 2.36 (s, 3H) 1-87  Et OMe SMe CHF₂ Na⁺ 7.50 (d, 1H), 7.30 (t, 1H), 7.29 (d, 1H), 4.09 (q, 2H), 3.94 (s, 3H), 2.35 (s, 3H), 1.33 (t, 3H) 1-88  Et OMe SMe CHF₂ Pr₄N⁺ 7.49 (d, 1H), 7.30 (t, 1H), 7.29 (d, 1H), 4.08 (q, 2H), 3.94 (s, 3H), 3.12 (m, 8H), 2.35 (s, 3H), 1.61 (m, 8H), 1.33 (t, 3H), 0.90 (t, 12H) 1-89  Et OMe SMe CHF₂ Me₃N(C₂H₄OH)⁺ 7.49 (d, 1H), 7.30 (t, 1H), 7.29 (d, 1H), 4.08 (q, 2H), 3.94 (s, 3H), 3.84 (m, 2H), 3.36 (m, 2H), 3.10 (s, 9H), 2.35 (s, 3H), 1.33 (t, 3H) 1-90  Me OMe SOMe CHF₂ Na⁺ 8.02 (t, 1H), 7.76 (d, 1H), 7.48 (d, 1H), 3.93 (s, 3H), 3.67 (s, 3H), 2.93 (s, 3H) 1-91  Me OMe SOMe CHF₂ Pr₄N⁺ 8.01 (t, 1H), 7.75 (d, 1H), 7.48 (d, 1H), 3.93 (s, 3H), 3.66 (s, 3H), 3.12 (m, 8H), 2.93 (s, 3H), 1.61 (m, 8H), 0.90 (t, 12H) 1-92  Me OMe SOMe CHF₂ Me₃N(C₂H₄OH)⁺ 8.01 (t, 1H), 7.75 (d, 1H), 7.48 (d, 1H), 3.93 (s, 3H), 3.83 (m, 2H), 3.66 (s, 3H), 3.39 (m, 2H), 3.10 (s, 9H), 2.93 (s, 3H) 1-93  Et OMe SOMe CHF₂ Na⁺ 1-94  Et OMe SOMe CHF₂ Pr₄N⁺ 1-95  Et OMe SOMe CHF₂ Me₃N(C₂H₄OH)⁺ 1-96  Me OMe SO₂Me CHF₂ Na⁺ 1-97  Me OMe SO₂Me CHF₂ Pr₄N⁺ 1-98  Me OMe SO₂Me CHF₂ Me₃N(C₂H₄OH)⁺ 1-99  Et OMe SO₂Me CHF₂ Na⁺ 1-100 Et OMe SO₂Me CHF₂ Pr₄N⁺ 1-101 Et OMe SO₂Me CHF₂ Me₃N(C₂H₄OH)⁺ 1-102 Me OMe SEt CF₃ Na⁺ 1-103 Me OMe SOEt CF₃ Na⁺ 1-104 Me OMe SO₂Et CF₃ Na⁺ 1-105 Me Cl SMe H Na⁺ 1-106 Me Cl SO₂Me Me Na⁺ 7.67 (d, 1H), 7.41 (d, 1H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.40 (s, 3H), 2.69 (s, 3H) 1-107 Me Cl SO₂Et Me Na⁺ 1-108 Me Cl SMe CF₃ Na⁺ 1-109 Me Cl SOMe CF₃ Na⁺ 1-110 Me Cl SO₂Me CF₃ Na⁺ 1-111 Me Cl OC₂H₄OMe Cl Na⁺ 1-112 Me Cl SMe Cl Na⁺ 1-113 Et Cl SMe Cl Na⁺ 1-114 Me Cl SOMe Cl Na⁺ 1-115 Et Cl SOMe Cl Na⁺ 1-116 Me Cl SO₂Me Cl Na⁺ 1-117 Et Cl SO₂Me Cl Na⁺ 1-118 Me Cl SEt Cl Na⁺ 1-119 Me Cl SOEt Cl Na⁺ 1-120 Me Cl SO₂Et Cl Na⁺ 1-121 Me Cl CH₂OMe SO₂Me Na⁺ 7.90 (d, 1H), 7.60 (d, 1H), 4.96 (s, 2H), 3.69 (s, 3H), 3.40 (s, 3H), 3.29 (s, 3H) 1-122 Me Cl CH₂OMe SO₂Me K⁺ 7.90 (d, 1H), 7.60 (d, 1H), 4.96 (s, 2H), 3.69 (s, 3H), 3.40 (s, 3H), 3.29 (s, 3H) 1-123 Me Cl CH₂OMe SO₂Me Pr₄N⁺ 7.90 (d, 1H); 7.60 (d, 1H); 4.96 (s, 2H); 3.70 (s, 3H); 3.40 (s, 3H); 3.28 (s, 3H); 3.12 (m, 8H); 1.61 (m, 8H); 0.90 (t, 12H) 1-124 Me Cl CH₂OMe SO₂Me Me₃N(C₂H₄OH)⁺ 7.90 (d, 1H); 7.60 (d, 1H); 5.52 (br s, 1H); 4.96 (s, 2H); 3.83 (m, 2H); 3.70 (s, 3H); 3.40 (s, 3H); 3.40 (m, 2H); 3.29 (s, 3H); 3.10 (s, 9H) 1-125 Me Cl CH₂OCH₂CF₃ SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-126 Et Cl CH₂OCH₂CF₃ SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-127 Me Cl CH₂OC₂H₄OMe SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-128 Me Cl 4,5-dihydro-1,2- SO₂Me Na⁺ oxazol-3-yl 1-129 Me Cl 4,5-dihydro-1,2- SO₂Et Na⁺ oxazol-3-yl 1-130 Me Cl 5- SO₂Et Na⁺ methoxymethy- 4,5-dihydro-1,2- oxazol-3-yl 1-131 Me Cl OMe SO₂Me Na⁺ 7.71 (d, 1H), 7.42 (d, 1H), 3.96 (s, 3H), 3.69 (s, 3H), 3.16 (s, 3H) 1-132 Me Cl OMe SO₂Et 1-133 Me Cl OEt SO₂Me Na⁺ 7.71 (d, 1H), 7.41 (d, 1H), 4.19 (q, 2H), 3.69 (s, 3H), 3.16 (s, 3H), 1.43 (t, 3H) 1-134 Me Cl OEt SO₂Et Na⁺ 1-135 Me Cl OPr SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-136 Me Cl OPr SO₂Et Na⁺ 1-137 Me Cl Oi-Bu SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-138 Me Cl OCH₂c-Pr SO₂Me Na⁺ 7.71 (d, 1H), 7.41 (d, 1H), 3.97 (d, 2H), 3.69 (s, 3H), 3.16 (s, 3H), 1.30-1.42 (m, 1H), 0.58-0.65 (m, 2H), 0.40-0.45 (m, 2H) 1-139 Me Cl OCH₂c-Pr SO₂Et Na⁺ 1-140 Me Cl OC₂H₄OMe SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-141 Me Cl O(CH₂)₃OMe SO₂Me Na⁺ 7.72 (d, 1H), 7.42 (d, 1H), 4.19 (t, 2H), 3.69 (s, 3H), 3.55 (t, 2H), 3.32 (s, 3H), 3.31 (s, 3H), 2.07 (quin, 2H) 1-142 Me Cl SMe SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-143 Me Cl SOMe SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-144 Me Cl SO₂Me SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-145 Me Cl SEt SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-146 Me Cl SOEt SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-147 Me Cl SO₂Et SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-148 Me Cl SCH2CH2OMe SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-149 Me Cl SOCH2CH2OMe SO₂Me Na⁺ 1-150 Me Cl SO₂CH2CH2OMe SO₂Me Na⁺

TABLE 2 Compounds of the general formula (I) in which A represents CY, B represents CH and W represents hydrogen

Physical data (¹H-NMR, DMSO-d₆, No. R X Y Z M⁺ 400 MHz) 2-1  Me Me SO₂Me CF₃ Na⁺ 2-2  Me Me 4,5-dihydro-1,2- SO₂Me Na⁺ oxazol-3-yl 2-3  Me Me pyrazol-1-yl SO₂Me Na⁺ 2-4  Me Me SO₂Me SO₂Me Na⁺ 2-5  Me Me SO₂Me SO₂Me Na⁺ 8.07 (d, 1H), 7.77 (d, 1H), 7.43 (s, 1H), 3.52 (s, 6H), 3.50 (s, 3H), 2.51 (s, 3H) 2-6  Me Me SO₂Me SO₂Me Me₃N(C₂H₄OH)⁺ 8.04 (d, 1H), 7.71 (d, 1H), 7.36 (s, 1H), 3.83 (m, 2H), 3.52 (s, 3H), 3.50 (s, 3H), 3.48 (s, 3H), 3.39 (m, 2H), 3.10 (s, 9H), 2.53 (s, 3H) 2-7  Me Cl SO₂Me Cl Na⁺ 2-8  Me Cl 4,5-dihydro-1,2- SO₂Me Na⁺ oxazol-3-yl 2-9  Me Cl 4,5-dihydro-1,2- SO₂Et Na⁺ oxazol-3-yl 2-10 Me Cl OC₂H₄OMe SO₂Me Na⁺

TABLE 3 Compounds of the general formula (I) in which A represents N and B represents N and W represents hydrogen

Physical data No. R X Z M⁺ (¹H-NMR, DMSO-d₆, 400 MHz) 3-1  Me Me CF₃ Na+ 8.18 (d, 1H), 7.66 (d, 1H), 3.68 (s, 3H), 2.73 (s, 3H) 3-2  Me Me CF₃ Pr₄N⁺ 8.15 (d, 1H), 7.64 (d, 1H), 3.66 (s, 3H), 3.12 (m, 8H), 2.72 (s, 3H), 1.61 (m, 8H), 0.89 (t, 12H) 3-3  Me Me CF₃ Me₃N(C₂H₄OH)⁺ 8.15 (d, 1H), 7.64 (d, 1H), 3.85 (m, 2H), 3.67 (s, 3H), 3.27 (m, 2H), 3.12 (s, 9H), 2.72 (s, 3H) 3-4  Me CH₂OMe CF₃ Na⁺ 8.29 (d, 1H), 7.78 (d, 1H), 4.93 (s, 2H), 3.69 (s, 3H), 3.29 (s, 3H) 3-5  Me CH₂OMe CF₃ Me₃N(C₂H₄OH)⁺ 8.27 (d, 1H), 7.77 (d, 1H), 4.92 (s, 2H), 3.83 (m, 2H), 3.68 (s, 3H), 3.38 (m, 2H), 3.30 (s, 3H), 3.10 (s, 9H) 3-6  Et CH₂OMe CF₃ Na⁺ 3-7  Me CH₂OC₂H₄OMe CF₃ Na⁺ 3-8  Et CH₂OC₂H₄OMe CF₃ Na+ 3-9  Me CH₂OCH₂c-Pr CF₃ Na+ 3-10 Me Cl CF₃ Me₃N(C₂H₄OH)⁺ 8.14 (d, 1H), 7.88 (d, 1H), 3.83 (m, 2H), 3.70 (s, 3H), 3.39 (m, 2H), 3.10 (s, 9H) 3-11 Me CF₃ Na+ 3-12 Me Br CF₃ Na+ 3-13 Me SO₂Me CF₃ Na+ B. Formulation Examples

-   a) A dusting product is obtained by mixing 10 parts by weight of a     compound of the formula (I) and/or salts thereof and 90 parts by     weight of talc as inert substance and comminuting the mixture in a     hammer mill. -   b) A readily water-dispersible, wettable powder is obtained by     mixing 25 parts by weight of a compound of the formula (I) and/or     salts thereof, 64 parts by weight of kaolin-containing quartz as an     inert substance, 10 parts by weight of potassium lignosulfonate and     1 part by weight of sodium oleoylmethyltaurate as a wetting agent     and dispersant, and grinding the mixture in a pinned-disk mill. -   c) A readily water-dispersible dispersion concentrate is obtained by     mixing 20 parts by weight of a compound of the formula (I) and/or     salts thereof with 6 parts by weight of alkylphenol polyglycol ether     (®Triton X 207), 3 parts by weight of isotridecanol polyglycol ether     (8 EO) and 71 parts by weight of paraffinic mineral oil (boiling     range for example about 255 to above 277 C), and grinding the     mixture in a ball mill to a fineness of below 5 microns. -   d) An emulsifiable concentrate is obtained from 15 parts by weight     of a compound of the formula (I) and/or salts thereof, 75 parts by     weight of cyclohexanone as a solvent and 10 parts by weight of     ethoxylated nonylphenol as an emulsifier. -   e) Water-dispersible granules are obtained by mixing     -   75 parts by weight of a compound of the formula (I) and/or salts         thereof,     -   10 parts by weight of calcium lignosulfonate,     -   5 parts by weight of sodium laurylsulfate,     -   3 parts by weight of polyvinyl alcohol and     -   7 parts by weight of kaolin,     -   grinding the mixture in a pinned-disk mill and granulating the         powder in a fluidized bed by spraying on water as a granulating         liquid. -   f) Water-dispersible granules are also obtained by homogenizing and     precomminuting     -   25 parts by weight of a compound of the formula (I) and/or salts         thereof,     -   5 parts by weight of sodium         2,2′-dinaphthylmethane-6,6′-disulfonate,     -   2 parts by weight of sodium oleoylmethyltaurate,     -   1 part by weight of polyvinyl alcohol,     -   17 parts by weight of calcium carbonate and     -   50 parts by weight of water     -   in a colloid mill, then grinding the mixture in a bead mill and         atomizing and drying the resulting suspension in a spray tower         by means of a one-phase nozzle.         C. Biological Examples

1. Pre-Emergence Herbicidal Action Against Harmful Plants

Seeds of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weed plants and crop plants are placed in wood-fiber pots in sandy loam and covered with soil. The compounds according to the invention, formulated in the form of wettable powders (WP) or as emulsion concentrates (EC), are then applied as aqueous suspension or emulsion at a water application rate of 600 to 800 l/ha (converted) with the addition of 0.2% of wetting agent to the surface of the covering soil. After the treatment, the pots are placed in a greenhouse and kept under good growth conditions for the test plants. The damage to the test plants is assessed visually after a test period of 3 weeks by comparison with untreated controls (herbicidal activity in percent (%): 100% action=the plants have died, 0% action=like control plants). Here, for example, compounds No. 1-2, 1-3, 1-4 1-11, 1-12, 1-13, 1-14, 1-78, 1-79, 1-80, 1-84, 1-86, 1-87, 1-89, 1-91, 1-92, 1-121, 1-122, 1-123 1-124, 1-131, 1-133, 1-138, 1-141, 2-06, 3-04, 3-05, 3-10 have in each case an activity of at least 80% against Echinochloa crus galli, Setaria viridis, Abutilon theophrasti, Amaranthus retroflexus, Matricaria inodora, Stellaria media, Viola tricolor and Veronica persica when applied at a rate of 320 g/ha.

2. Post-Emergence Herbicidal Action Against Harmful Plants

Seeds of monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous weed and crop plants are placed in sandy loam in wood-fiber pots, covered with soil and cultivated in a greenhouse under good growth conditions. 2 to 3 weeks after sowing, the test plants are treated at the one-leaf stage. The compounds according to the invention, formulated in the form of wettable powders (WP) or as emulsion concentrates (EC), are then sprayed as aqueous suspension or emulsion at a water application rate of 600 to 800 l/ha (converted) with the addition of 0.2% of wetting agent onto the green parts of the plants. After the test plants have been left to stand in the greenhouse under optimal growth conditions for about 3 weeks, the action of the formulations is assessed visually in comparison to untreated controls (herbicidal action in percent (%): 100% action=the plants have died, 0% action=like control plants). Here, for example, compounds No. 1-02, 1-03, 1-04, 1-07, 1-08, 1-11, 1-12, 1-13, 1-14, 1-36, 1-38, 1-78, 1-79, 1-80, 1-81, 1-84, 1-85, 1-86, 1-87, 1-88, 1-89, 1-91, 1-106, 1-121, 1-122, 1-123, 1-124, 1-131, 1-133, 1-138, 1-141 and 2-06 have in each case an activity of at least 80% against Echinochloa crus galli, Matricaria inodora, Pharbitis purpureum, Stellaria media and Veronica persica when applied at a rate of 80 g/ha. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A salt of an N-(tetrazol-5-yl)arylcarboxamide of the formula (I)

in which A represents CY, B represents N, X represents halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, OR¹, or S(O)_(n)R², Y represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, OR¹, S(O)_(n)R², or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-OR¹, Z represents halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl or S(O)_(n)R², or also optionally represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl if Y represents a S(O)_(n)R² radical, W represents hydrogen, R represents (C₁-C₈)-alkyl, R¹ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, or (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, each optionally being substituted by s radicals OR³, R² represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, R³ represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, M⁺ represents a cation selected from the group consisting of (a) alkali metal ions, and (b) ammonium ions whose hydrogen atoms are substituted by p radicals selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₄)-alkyl, hydroxy-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, n represents 0, 1 or 2, p represents 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, and s represents 0, 1, 2 or
 3. 2. The salt of an N-(tetrazol-5-yl)arylcarboxamide as claimed in claim 1 in which A represents CY, B represents N, X represents halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C6)-alkyl, OR¹, or S(O)_(n)R², Y represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, OR¹, S(O)_(n)R², or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-OR¹, Z represents halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl or S(O)_(n)R², or also optionally represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl if Y represents a S(O)_(n)R² radical, W represents hydrogen, R represents (C₁-C₈)-alkyl, R¹ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, or (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, each optionally being substituted by s radicals OR³, R² represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, R³ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, M⁺ represents a cation selected from the group consisting of (a) ions of the alkali metals lithium, sodium, or potassium, and ammonium ions whose hydrogen atoms are substituted by p radicals selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₄)-alkyl and hydroxy-(C₁-C₄)-alkyl, n represents 0, 1 or 2, p represents 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, and s represents 0, 1, 2 or
 3. 3. The salt of an N-(tetrazol-5-yl)arylcarboxamide as claimed in claim 1 in which A represents CY, B represents N, X represents halogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, OR¹, or S(O)_(n)R², Y represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, OR¹, S(O)_(n)R², or (C₁-C₆)-alkyl-OR¹, Z represents halo-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl or S(O)_(n)R², or also optionally represents methyl if Y represents a S(O)_(n)R² radical, W represents hydrogen, R represents (C₁-C₈)-alkyl, R¹ represents hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, or (C₃-C₆)-cycloalkyl-(C₁-C₆)-alkyl, each optionally being substituted by s radicals OR³, R² represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, R³ represents (C₁-C₆)-alkyl, M+represents a cation selected from the group consisting of sodium ion, potassium ion, lithium ion, NH₄ ⁺ion, (2-hydroxyeth-1-yl)ammonium ion, bis-N,N-(2-hydroxyeth-1-yl)-ammonium ion, tris-N,N,N-(2-hydroxyeth-1-yl)ammonium ion, tetra-N,N,N,N-(2-hydroxyeth-1-yl)ammonium ion, N-(2-hydroxyeth-1-yl)-tris-N,N,N-methylammonium ion, methylammonium ion, dimethylammonium ion, trimethylammonium ion, tetramethylammonium ion, ethylammonium ion, diethyl-ammonium ion, triethylammonium ion, tetraethylammonium ion, isopropylammonium ion, diisopropylammonium ion, tetrapropylammonium ion, and tetrabutylammonium ion, n represents 0, 1 or 2, and s represents 0, 1, 2 or
 3. 4. A herbicidal composition comprising a herbicidally effective amount of at least one salt of an N-(tetrazol-5-yl)arylcarboxamide as claimed in claim 1 and one or more formulation auxiliaries.
 5. A method for controlling unwanted plants, comprising applying an effective amount of at least one salt of an N-(tetrazol-5-yl)arylcarboxamide as claimed in claim 1 to a plant and/or to a site of the unwanted plants.
 6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the method is used for controlling one or more unwanted plants in one or more crops of one or more useful plants.
 7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the useful plants are transgenic useful plants.
 8. The salt of an N-(tetrazol-5-yl)arylcarboxamide as claimed in claim 1 having the formula


9. The salt of an N-(tetrazol-5-yl)arylcarboxamide as claimed in claim 1 having the formula


10. The salt of an N-(tetrazol-5-yl)arylcarboxamide as claimed in claim 1 having the formula


11. The salt of an N-(tetrazol-5-yl)arylcarboxamide as claimed in claim 1 having the formula


12. The salt of an N-(tetrazol-5-yl)arylcarboxamide as claimed in claim 1 having the formula


13. The salt of an N-(tetrazol-5-yl)arylcarboxamide as claimed in claim 1 having the formula


14. The salt of an N-(tetrazol-5-yl)arylcarboxamide as claimed in claim 1 having the formula


15. The salt of an N-(tetrazol-5-yl)arylcarboxamide as claimed in claim 1 having the formula


16. The salt of an N-(tetrazol-5-yl)arylcarboxamide as claimed in claim 1 having the formula


17. The salt of an N-(tetrazol-5-yl)arylcarboxamide as claimed in claim 1 having the formula 